New York Knicks All-Star forward Carmelo Anthony, who played only 21 minutes in Wednesday's game in Denver because of his troublesome right knee, has been sent back to New York to have fluid drained from the knee, according to multiple media reports.

But the news is all part of a devastating week for the Knicks, who announced Saturday that Amare Stoudemire is headed for right knee surgery and will miss at least six weeks.

Stoudemire, Anthony and Chandler are the Knicks' three highest-paid players and now all three are nursing knee injuries.

Anthony spent most of Wednesday's second half in the visitors' locker room (the answer to Nuggets fans' derisive, "Where is Melo?" chants) and announced afterward that he is returning to New York today to have fluid drained.

The procedure will knock him out of tonight's game at Portland and likely the final two games of the trip West, Sunday against the Clippers and Monday against the Jazz.

Asked about when he'll play again, according to the New York Daily News, Anthony said: "I have no idea. At this point it's just a matter of getting this done and see what happens from there. I want to get to the bottom of this quick."

The day before, the New York Post reported that having the knee drained could sideline Anthony from a few days up to a week or more, according to medical experts. However, those experts also said fluid in the back of the knee usually is a sign of arthritis or cartilage wear and tear, both of which are chronic conditions.

Meanwhile, the news on Chandler was more encouraging after he appeared to suffer a serious left knee injury in the second quarter that knocked him out of the game. The preliminary diagnosis on Chandler was a "contused knee," according to the Knicks.

Chandler, injured when Nuggets guard Corey Brewer backed into him, was not on crutches after the game and said he doesn't need an X-ray or MRI exam, the Daily News reported.

"I'm all right," Chandler said. "We'll evaluate (today) and see how it feels. Hopefully it doesn't swell on me. I don't think it's a big deal."

Coach Mike Woodson called Chandler probable tonight, Newsday reported, but Chandler wasn't sure he would be able to play.

"I'm going to see," he said. "If I can give my team anything, I'll be out there for them. I've just got to judge it in the morning. I feel like everything's fine. I'm just sore. If I can get up and down the floor then I'm going to suit up. If not, there's a reason for it."

For now, Woodson's team really doesn't have a good leg to stand on as it continues its road trip.

"We're a little beat up," Woodson said. "Everyone is beat up during this time of the season."

The Knicks have lost three of their past four, sliding to 38-24 and the No. 3 slot in the Eastern Conference, only 1½ games ahead of the Brooklyn Nets in the Atlantic Division and East standings.